African Americans have fought in military conflicts since colonial days. However, the Buffalo Soldiers, comprised of former slaves, freemen and Black Civil War soldiers, were the first to serve during peacetime.

Once the Westward movement had begun, prominent among those blazing treacherous trails of the Wild West were the Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S. Army. These African Americans were charged with and responsible for escorting settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews. The 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments also conducted campaigns against American Indian tribes on a western frontier that extended from Montana in the Northwest to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in the Southwest. Throughout the era of the Indian Wars, approximately twenty percent of the U.S. Cavalry troopers were Black, and they fought over 177 engagements. The combat prowess, bravery, tenaciousness, and looks on the battlefield, inspired the Indians to call them "Buffalo Soldiers." Many Indians believe the name symbolized the Native American's respect for the Buffalo Soldiers' bravery and valor. Buffalo Soldiers, down through the years, have worn the name with pride.

Buffalo Soldiers participated in many other military campaigns: The Spanish American War, The Philippine Insurrection, The Mexican Expedition, World War I, World War II, and the Korean Police Action.

Much have changed since the days of the Buffalo Soldiers, including the integration of all military servicemen and women. However, the story of the Buffalo Soldiers remain one of unsurpassed courage and patriotism, and will be forever a significant part of the history of America.

African Americans have fought with distinction in all of this country's military engagements. However, some of their most notable contributions and sacrifices came during the Civil War. During that conflict, more than 180,000 African Americans wore the Union Army blue. Another 30,000 served in the Navy, and 200,000 served as workers on labor, engineering, hospital and other military support projects. More than 33,000 of these gallant soldiers gave their lives for the sake of freedom and their country.

Shortly after the Civil War, Congress authorized the formation of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry Regiments: Six all Black peacetime units. Later the four infantry regiments were merged into the24th and 25th Infantries.

In countless skirmishes and fire fights, the troopers won the respect of the Plains warriors who named "Buffalo Soldiers." African Americans accepted the badge of honor and wore it proudly.

At least 18 Medals of Honor were presented to Buffalo Soldiers during the Western Campaigns. Similarly, 23 African Americans received the nation's highest military award during the Civil War.

BSMC Florida (Mother) - Our History

Three friends in St Petersburg and Bradenton, Florida who rode together, decided in 1996 they wanted to make their riding more organized and turn it into something they could gain recognition on the local bike scene. Forming a club was discussed but nothing was ever decided on. That summer one of them, Carl Laury, took a long bike trip and reunited with friends from Chicago’s Buffalo Soldiers MC while in Denver, Colorado. After traveling on to Sturgis, South Dakota from Denver, Laury also visited Chicago and was impressed with the openness of the Buffalo Soldiers MC in their home city.

Upon his return, Laury began to work on the idea of starting a Florida Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers MC with his two friends and the organization was created in January of 1997. Founding members Carl Laury, Mack Burton and Vince Bland were joined by Clarence Sanders, Marva Carley, Claude Carley, and in February Eugene Wright. The club quickly became known for its hard riding and long distance trips throughout the southeastern United States. The club grew with support from a number of family members and soon was collecting “Most Members” along with “Longest Distance Club” trophies from events they attended. With an initial focus on distance rides, few new prospects and applicants could actually keep up with the traveling schedule and hard riding style of the club.

Eventually a number of new riders were able to make the cut and become members, that list including Walt Massie and Jake Collins. The club turned a new page with the arrival of biker Tom Macon. With a military background, Macon brought strong organizational skills and a professionalism and level of energy that set a new tone for the club, which has prospered and set new Florida standards of hosting annuals and fund raising.

Early in 1999 the Florida Chapter met in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina along with the Maryland Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers M/C. It was the first time two of the three original chapters had ever gathered in one location. The meeting provided the opportunity to plan the Round-Up gathering, with the purpose of organizing the chapters, which by now included Delaware, New Jersey and Virginia. That summer the Florida Chapter hosted a Buffalo Soldiers M/C hospitality tent at theNational Bikers Round Up.

The idea to offer all clubs using the Buffalo Soldiers legacy membership into a new organization, one that would unite members under the One Club, One Patch, One Mindset (OCOPOM), resulted in the first set of National By-Laws being developed. The national meeting was used as a spring board to create the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers M/Cs (NABSMC). The bylaws were ratified and the National board elected. New chapters have been added each year since that first national meeting.

The Florida Chapter and its members are very proud to have played such a significant role in the creation of the NABSMC and to have been the third chapter in this motorcycle club organization. We have produced a number of firsts within the NABSMC organization, including:

• Hosting the first National BSMC Meeting• Introducing the club’s uniform hat complete with cavalry braid as a BSMC symbol• Having members that have held the national offices of the first National Vice President, first National Sgt at Arms andthe second National President.• Creation of the protocol for creating new chapters• Introducing the National Rocker• The only chapter to have held two National Rockers at one time (we held them both for five years)

Henry O. Flipper(1856-1940)First African – American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and serve as an officer in the 10th Cavalry.

Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson (1826-1911)Commander of the 10th Cavalry for 22 years.

Colonel Edward Hatch(1832-1889)Commander of the 9th Cavalry for 23 years.

General Colin L. Powell(1937- )First African - American four-star general of the United States and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; through his efforts, a memorial to the Buffalo Soldiers was built at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.